Pastor

Newfolden Evangelical Free Church; Thief River Falls (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Newfolden Evangelical Free Church in rural northwest Minnesota seeks a full-time Pastor to lead the congregation, preach God’s Word, and shepherd a close-knit church family.

The Pastor will provide biblical teaching, oversee operations with the church board, develop lay leaders, and nurture outreach in the local community.

We seek a versatile leader with theological heart, pastoral experience, and a calling to invest long-term in a small-town ministry.

Qualifications

• Pastoral leadership and spiritual oversight.
• Strong preaching and teaching ability.
• Commitment to shepherding and relational care.
• Willingness to work with a small community and church board.

Responsibilities

• Preach and teach God’s Word with clarity and relevance.
• Lead Bible Studies and disciple, equip lay leaders and volunteers.
• Provide pastoral care, counseling, and community support.
• Oversee day-to-day church operations with the board.

Skills

Preaching

Pastoral care

Leadership

Bible studies

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Newfolden Evangelical Free Church is prayerfully seeking a full-time Pastor called by God to lead our congregation into its next chapter of ministry, while building upon the 32 years of dedicated and faithful service of our current Pastor who is retiring. If you love preaching God’s word, caring for people in a rural community, are passionate about cultivating a healthy, relational church family, we invite you to explore

this opportunity to grow with us.

The full-time Pastor at Newfolden Evangelical Free Church (NEFC) serves as the primary spiritual, teaching, and administrative leader of the congregation. This individual is responsible for preaching the Word of God, leading Bible Studies, providing pastoral care, developing lay leaders, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the church. We are looking for a versatile solo pastor who brings both theological heart and practical administrative leadership to foster spiritual growth and community engagement.

Core Responsibilities:

• Bible Centered Preaching & Teaching – is passionate about opening Scripture, explaining it faithfully, applying it clearly, and helping people see how the gospel transforms everyday life
• Shepherding and Congregational Care - active, relational responsibility of guiding nurturing, protecting, and spiritually supporting church members; including but not limited to counseling, hospital visits, funerals, weddings, dedications, baptisms, prayer, and simply helping people as needed
• Discipleship & Equipping - train, equip, and inspire lay leaders and volunteers in using their talents along with building a thriving servant heart culture within our congregation
• Administration & Operations – manage daily church operations and oversee organizational health and communications in conjunction with the board

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Pastoral experience as a senior, solo, or associate pastor is preferred
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to preach and teach God’s Word, care for people, lead alongside others and love our congregation
• Demonstrated biblical character and calling along with spiritual maturity, humility, integrity, wisdom, and a genuine calling to pastoral ministry
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher preferred

OUR COMMUNITY

Newfolden is a small community in northwest Minnesota, surrounded by soybean and sugar beet fields.The wide-open spaces are part of what makes this corner of Minnesota home.Our congregation is comprised not just of Newfolden people but people from the surrounding communities as well.For those who enjoy the outdoors, there is plenty to love. Hunting, the changing seasons, and the wide-open countryside are all part of life here. But what makes Newfolden special isn’t the fields or the outdoors, it’s the people.

Northwest Minnesota is a community where relationships matter.Families have deep roots here, generations know one another, and people show up when someone needs help. We see that same spirit in our Church.

OUR CHURCH

Our Church includes people from many stages of life, and we value the opportunity to worship, serve, and grow together across generations.We are looking for a pastor who wants to become part of our family and this community.Someone who wants to know the people he is serving and not simply preach to them on Sunday.We believe this is a place where a pastor can build genuine relationships, put down roots, raise a family, and faithfully serve a church family for many years.

Our current ministries include Sunday School for all ages, Awana, Detour (Wednesday night Youth Ministry), ManCave (men’s ministry), WOW (Women of the Word), Men’s Saturday morning Bible Study, and Wednesday night Adult Bible Study.We as a congregation have found great joy in being identified under the umbrella of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA).